Friends, DJT is at it again, squeezing every ounce of executive authority he's got out of the U.S. Code, in this case in order to perpetuate his tariff regime against our (generally abusive) trade partners. Actually, the latest move is something of a sly one, rather than a major escalation: he's found a new pretext to extend what are now old tariffs, usually of about 10-15%, on most countries. Tariffs at that level really don't have a major effect on trade or prices, so I would advise everyone to take a deep breath and relax. Economic doomsday is not at hand.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgj61j6l08o
In other news, the Iranians are once again imperiling the world economy by effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz, and now their proxies are threatening the important Red Sea trade route as well. President Trump is reportedly hopping mad, and he might authorize the biggest strikes to date on Iran. I say...DO IT!!! The Iranians are clearly inclined to take the Trump Administration lightly, as is the world press. Let's prove once and for all that no one, especially Iran, can defeat the United States of America. The sooner they get the message, the faster we can restore peace and prosperity to all.
Dr. Waddy: This rock bottom verity alone remains at the very heart of the matter : Iran under this regime or any domestic regime in the foreseeable future cannot, must not be suffered to acquire nuclear weapons, PERIOD. Iran is the heartland of a fanatic , suicide revering neomedieval government at murderous odds with all standards of modern civilization. What deep roots might it have? Might they survive a superficial scouring ? MIght they reemerge after a period of suppression?
ReplyDeleteRecent reports hold that Iran may be rebuilding its nuclear weapons industry. After all the destruction we have visited on Iran in the last year this may well affirm still unrelenting fanaticism; maybe we will have to resolve ourselves to surveil and contain it as we did the Soviets , but only after eliminating the present Iranian nuclear threat, of whatever it may consist.
Iran has succeeded in "muddying the waters" by making the Straits a compelling and distracting
issue.It is buying time thereby and hoping to wear out the tolerance of the world and America for yet another Middle East war and disruption of Persian Gulf oil. They are of course very much encouraged in this by by the actions of the U.S. far left "antiwar" and America hating movement in this and other controversial issues such illegal immigration. They know how much the radical left faction of the youthful baby boom generation aided the commie war effort in Vietnam. They may be counting on similar support from another younger generation presently upset about its difficulty in advancing their careers and material well being and perhaps forming a formidable cadre devoted to the DSA and its opposition to anything which benefits America.
I look to the courageous Civil War leadership of President Lincoln for an example of how to guide the U.S. through an unpopular yet vital war which has a singular objective. I see also in President Trump much of the backbone needed to prosecute such an effort despite enervating domestic doubt and actual subversion.
If taking full control of the Straits is undoubtedly indispensable in ending Iran's nuclear threat to any nation it chooses, then let it be DONE!
Dr. Waddy: I'll venture another comparison: In 1864, the war had entered a phase of unprecedented savagery and had settled into a painfully prolonged siege of Richmond A very important election loomed in November and Lincoln himself recognized a strong possibility that he would not be reelected. Had he lost it is possible that McClellan would have stopped short of complete victory and the US could well have become another endless S. American or European cauldron. But he stayed the course and the Union was saved and ready in time for the terrific challenges of the 20th century. Took guts to do that and I think President Trump may have similar fortitude and perseverance in the face of an electoral challenge which could firmly empower perhaps the most antiAmerican, swiftly becoming major party in our history, the DSA.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy: I certainly agree with your characterizaton of our economy. Its strength and resilience is astonishing and we have a President who wisely recognizes it is unwise to have a President try to run the economy. The Czech philosopher and economist Friedrich Hayek famously maintained that an economy is far too complex to be run successfully by one person or governmental group. Economies are best run by the economies themselves.
ReplyDeletePreventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon (and the means to deliver it), is a valid and indeed noble objective, and bombing can assist us to accomplish it, but I'm not sure that endless waves of bombing, directed mostly against radar and drone facilities near the Strait, have much to do with the former. An occasional pinprick assault against Iran's nuclear facilities, against which Iran historically barely reacts, would seem sufficient to dampen its nuclear potential, whereas the current campaign really does focus primarily on control over the Strait of Hormuz. Maybe we're talking in circles, though, because basically Iran CAN'T have a nuclear weapon, and it CAN'T exercise effective control over an international waterway, or at least if it does either then American hegemony in the region, and regional security, will be jeopardized, not to mention the damage to the world economy...none of which appear to trouble leftists in the least.
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